Report: Derby County U18s 2 Rovers U18s 1

A Jack Stretton brace resulted in a comeback win for Derby County U18s as Rovers suffered defeat against the Rams at the weekend.

Kyle Connell got Rovers off to a great start as he poked home after an excellent ball in from Dan Pike from the left side.

But the hosts responded through a pair of Stretton goals, the first of which came four minutes after Connell's opener.

The Rams forward was waiting to pounce after Ben Winterbottom spilled a ball into the box for the striker to capitalise and level the game up.

Rovers went close to regaining the lead through Connell, who fired over before Sam Barnes headed over a Jack Vale cross in a lively first half.

Louie Sibley then hit the bar for the Rams as the chances came for both sides in the encounter.

But with two minutes to go until the break, Jason Knight found Stretton, who turned well before firing low to Winterbottom's right and into the corner.

The second 45 saw Rovers go in search of an equaliser and James Connolly headed an inviting corner from Sam Durrant just wide in the sunshine, whilst Morgan Whittaker curled an effort over for Derby following a swift counter attack.

Sibley went close for Derby before Connolly tested the home 'keeper with a free kick but another goal wasn't forthcoming and Rovers went down to the odd goal in three.

Rovers are next in action against Everton at Brockhall Village on Saturday 8th September, kick-off 11am.